Cross Country Ski Pants

Expert Recommendations from Nordic Ski Source

Tights:

Ski tights come in race weight and training weight. Race weight tights are made with lycra or spandex blends and are designed for maximum ventilation during intense exercise. Many require wind-blocking underwear or long underwear layers underneath. Training weight tights are warmer and may have wind blocking panels. They also usually require wind-blocking underwear and they may be used for races or intense workouts in cold weather. From a fit standpoint, tights can be a good choice for skiers with short, or long inseams do to the stretch and flexibility in fit.

Touring Pant Features:

For touring, leg zippers (either knee- or full-length) are useful for getting pants on and off as well as for allowing ventilation. Some degree of insulation is good to provide warmth in cooler temperatures and when you are moving at a relaxed pace. Pockets can come in handy for carrying keys, phones, etc. A good touring pant might also have ankle grips or internal gaiters to help keep snow out of your boots. Here is a list of touring pants we carry:

*        Bjorn Daehlie Fighter Pant

*        Craft AXC Touring Stretch Pant

*        Salomon Nova III Pant

*        Salomon Superfast Pant

*        Swix Oslo All Season Pant

*        Swix Team Pant

*        Swix Universal Pant

Training/Fitness Pant Features:

For training and fitness, we like light and mid weight pants that have a breathable stretch back panel and a wind-blocking front. This provides breathability and protection from the elements. Either a full- or knee-length leg zipper can be beneficial if you are taking your pants on and off over your ski boots. Here is a list of training/fitness pants we carry:

*        Bjorn Daehlie Olympic Pant

*        Bjorn Daehlie Winner Pant

*        Bjorn Daehlie Winner Full Zip Pant

*        Craft PXC Light Pant

*        Craft Storm Tight

*        Rossignol Escape Pant

*        Salomon Momentum Pant

*        Salomon Superfast Pant

*        Swix Star Advanced Pant

*        Swix Star XC Pant

*        Swix Team Pant

*        Swix Universal Pant

Midweight Pants:

Mid weight pants are good for touring and training in colder temperatures.

*        Craft AXC Touring Stretch Pant

*        Craft Storm Tight

*        Rossignol Escape Pant

*        Salomon Momentum Pant

*        Salomon Nova III Pant

*        Salomon Superfast Pant

*        Swix Team Pant

Lightweight Pants:

Lightweight pants are good for training and general skiing in warmer temperatures. They can be layered with long underwear for colder temperatures.

*        Bjorn Daehlie Fighter Pant

*        Bjorn Daehlie Olympic Pant

*        Bjorn Daehlie Winner Pant

*        Bjorn Daehlie Winner Full Zip Pant

*        Craft PXC Light Pant

*        Swix Oslo All Season Pant

*        Swix Star Advanced

*        Swix Star XC Pant

*        Swix Universal Pant

Pants for longer inseams:

In general, Rossignol, Salomon, and Swix pants tend to have longer inseams.

*        Rossignol Escape Pant

*        Salomon Nova III Pant

*        Salomon Superfast Pant

*        Swix Star Advanced Pant

*        Swix Star XC Pant

*        Swix Team Pant

*        Swix Universal Pant

Pants for shorter inseams:

*        Bjorn Daehlie Fighter Pant

*        Bjorn Daehlie Olympic Pant

*        Bjorn Daehlie Winner Pant

*        Bjorn Daehlie Winner Full Zip Pant

*        Craft AXC Touring Stretch Pant

*        Craft PXC Light Pant

*        Craft Storm Tight

*        Salomon Momentum Pant

Pants for narrow waists:

*        Bjorn Daehlie Olympic Pant

*        Craft AXC Touring Stretch Pant

*        Salomon Momentum Pant

Relaxed-fitting pants: